Main Tournament (3)

The top four were decided through this and that happening.

First was me, the last remaining exchange student from the empire, Kehma Golen.

"The assassin from the empire, Kehma Golen! He has shown a consistently impressive fighting style since the qualifiers, demonstrating stable performance! It's surprising to see a mage, who is at a disadvantage in close combat, make it this far into the competition! I'm sure everyone who has been watching his fights can understand his strength, but can you imagine that he has won all his battles without taking a single step from his starting position!? How far will his bottomless magical power take him!?"

Next, also from the empire bracket, was the tournament seed, Wataru Nishimi.

"The empire's prided Hero Wataru who holds numerous titles! He's been showing off his overwhelming composure and strength by drawing out all of his opponents' moves and then surpassing them! A versatile swordsman who changes his tactics to match his enemy! What kind of fight will he show us in the finals!? Is the power of a hero this great!? This is our archenemy, Hero Wataru! How far will the hero's sword cleave through the Demonlands!?"

Then, the ever-stable Sebas.

"Human Ranch 5's Number 52! He's usually a blood-stained butler serving the Demon Ojou-sama! But all that blood is his enemies'! In the qualifying tournament, he fought with one arm bound, but in the main tournament, he's been unleashed and is running wild! His fighting style is the fast-paced Demon King Style! Slash through! Pierce! Kill! He even glares back at and repels the charm of succubi! Now, don't let the imperial guys get too arrogant! Yes, we're cheering for you! Good luck, Human Ranch 5's number 52!"

Lastly, Asura.

"Gigangreed District's six-armed archer and swordsman, Asura! With the massive body of a half-giant, he simultaneously shoots two arrows with four arms and wields a sword and shield with two arms, making him an astonishing warrior equivalent to three people! However, in the previous fight, he abandoned his bow and arrow and swapped to a four-sword, two-shield style! He brilliantly defeated the nameless swordsman who used the Demon King Style! Sweep away everything with his ever-changing tactics and incredible strength! And again, don't let the imperial guys take the championship! Good luck, Asura!"

… Yeah.

I thought Number 564 wouldn't lose and that everyone here was practically family to him, making it an easy win! But he was unexpectedly defeated! Damn, I miscalculated…! Asura is a giant arachnoid, having an arachnoid mother with six arms and two legs and a giant father whose race has an average adult height of five meters. Asura, who has inherited the best of both parents, stands at 3 meters tall and has six arms.

As a result, Number 564 straight up got wrecked by Asura.

"Human, those six arms are quite formidable, so be very careful."

"But like… why are you still here? Just go home already, you lost."

"Hmph, is My Glorious Self not your second? With me by your side, victory is guaranteed!"

… And even though he lost, he's still saying that he's my second.

There's no need for you to be here. You said you'd win the championship, but you lost… I won't believe you anymore. Not I didn't believe you'd win the championship from the start anyway though.

Actually, Niku would be much better to spend time with during breaks, but why was Niku sent to the VIP room? And why did Core Number 564's claims get through? I don't understand… Oh, is it because Core Number 564 won against Niku so it's natural to respect the winner's claims? That's some culture, huh.

"… At this point, I have no choice but to aim for runner-up in the battle. Let's see, assuming Wataru wins against the other two, can Sebas beat Asura…?"

"Hmph, there's no way that brat could beat someone who was able to defeat My Glorious Self."

"I see. So if Number 564 says so, then I guess Sebas will win. Thanks, that was helpful."

"Hah hahah! That's right, no need to thank—eh?"

So excluding me, the results were: Wataru with two wins, Sebas with one win, and Asura with zero wins. Now, for me to let someone else win and take runner-up…

"… I just have to beat someone other than Wataru, right?"

With that, my strategy was set.

Well, if Wataru loses to the other two, we'd still have two wins and could take the championship to a deciding match. But if Wataru won all matches, it wouldn't matter who got one win and one loss.

What I should be cautious about is if Wataru ties with the other two. If Wataru gets one win and two ties, the others have one win and one tie or no wins and one tie, and I end up with two wins, I could accidentally win the championship.

"Hey, Core Number 564, what happens in that case?"

"Hmm, it's unusual for the finals to be a round-robin among four players, but I suppose the one with 2 wins would be the champion… But why are you talking on the premise that you'll definitely win? The opponent defeated me, after all, with his six arms."

"Ah, well, my armor is excellent."

Well, if that happens, there's nothing I can do. I'll try my best to negotiate and exchange the prize… Oh, wait, should I just use force to make the exchange happen? It's the Demonlands, after all. Just like Core Number 564 swapped with Niku.

So, with Core Number 564 somehow as my second with no one else complaining, the round-robin finals began.

"Listen up! I'll make you the champion since I'm with you!"

"No, what I want is to be the runner-up."

"Hahaha! Don't hold back, there's no reason to not to want to win!"

"I said I want the [Divine Pajamas] though?"

"After winning, you can just snatch it from the runner-up, right?"

Hmmm, another cultural thing. I'll forfeit right away if I get matched against Wataru though.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

"I surrender!"

"… I accept."

In my match against Wataru, I declared my surrender right from the start. The booing from the audience was intense, but I didn't care. I wanted to be the runner-up.

Then, my match against Sebas came up.

"… I surrender."

"Eh? Oh, alright."

Sebas declared his surrender after only attacking me once. With two consecutive immediate surrenders, the booing from the audience didn't stop. It was only natural for them to demand a proper fight. Anyone would think that, especially in the finals.

"The booing is intense, huh…"

"You were the one who started it, right? I don't care. I was told by Ojou-sama that it's okay to lose to you. If I can't win anyway, it's natural to conserve my strength."

"Well… I guess so?"

We then returned to the waiting room. The next match was Asura vs. Sebas. We'd normally receive healing magic, but I was unscathed. The healer even gave me a wry smile.

Core 564 said something like [Hmph, well, with one win and one loss, there's still a chance. Win the next one] but I ignored him. Are his words even worth listening to anymore? Why is he even here? Is he bored? Just go home already.

It ended up being quite a close battle, so Sebas's strategy of conserving his strength turned out to be the right call. The intense fight took plenty of time, so the audience should be satisfied with the content this time around.

I had a good rest (although it was questionable if I really needed a break), and it was time for my next match, so I once again entered the arena.

As for what Number 564 was up to… no clue. I was ignoring him pretty hard.

Next up was me VS Asura. When I re-entered the arena, Asura, having fully recovered through healing magic, was standing there like a statue, ready to face me. The wounds from his recent battle with Sebas seemed to have been completely healed.

… There was an incredible pressure facing him.

But no! It's useless! No matter how much Asura attacks me, the [Divine Blanket] completely nullifies it! As expected of a divine product, the attacks of mere mortals can't easily affect it. He wasn't able to grab me despite repeatedly trying to. That's the [Divine Blanket] for you…! And there's no out-of-bounds in this final match!

With Asura unable to do anything against me, I fired off a barrage of [Elemental Shot] and secured my second win without any danger.

Now, if Wataru beats both Sebas and Asura, he'll be the champion, and I'll be the runner-up.

However, in the next match Sebas VS Wataru…

"I surrender."

"… Huh?"

Wataru declared his surrender to Sebas with a smile on his face.